Prominent Vancouver businessman and philanthropist Milton Wong passed away on New Year’s eve after battling pancreatic cancer, at the age of 72.
Wong, who grew up in Vancouver’s Chinatown as the eighth of nine children of an immigrant tailor, went on to establish financial management firm M.K. Wong and Associates in 1980. The firm was eventually sold to HSBC Global Asset Management in 1996.
Wong was co-founder of the Portfolio Management Program at the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business, where he became an inspirational mentor for a generation of young entrepreneurs.
Wong leaves a remarkable legacy. He was one of the instigators of The Laurier Institution as well as the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival, and played a major role in supporting many First Nations initiatives, land claims and business partnerships.
A tireless supporter of higher education, Wong served two terms as Chancellor of Simon Fraser University from 1999 to 2005. He was instrumental in raising funds for and supporting organizations such as the BC Cancer Foundation, the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Science World and the YWCA.
A memorial service will be held later this month for Wong, who is survived by his wife, three daughters and three grandchildren.